BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) released its women’s basketball postseason awards Tuesday and four Gusties received recognition. Emma Kniefel (So., Medford) and Anna Sanders (Jr., Vadnais Heights) have been named All-Conference, while Kylie Baranick (Fy., Maple Grove) and Rachel Kawiecki (Fy., Richfield) have been named to the All-First Year Team.
Kniefel, a guard, earns All-Conference after leading the conference with a 55.3 field goal percentage. Kniefel was second on the team with 11.7 points per game and started all 26 games this season. The sophomore has made 17-of-48 three-pointers and is 59-of-77 from the free throw line, ranking fifth in the league with a 76.6 free throw percentage. She’s hauled in 89 rebounds (3.4 rpg) along with a team-leading 57 assists. She also has 36 steals, which are second most on the team.
Sanders, also a guard, earns All-MIAC after leading the Gusties with 12.2 points per game. Sanders has made 52-of-133 three-pointers and ranks second in the MIAC with a 39.1 three-point percentage. The junior leads the team with 38 steals and is third with 49 assists. She averages 3.4 rebounds per game and leads the team with an 82.1 free throw percentage. Sanders has started all 26 games this season.
Baranick, a guard, earns All-Rookie honors after averaging 6.6 points and starting in 24 games this season. Baranick is a 38.6 percent shooter from the field and is 36.5 percent from three-point range. She averages 2.6 rebounds and has totaled 54 assists, 34 steals, and 14 blocks.
Kawiecki, a forward, also started in 24 games this season and averages 6.5 points per game. Kawiecki leads the team with 6.5 rebounds per game, totaling 66 offensive rebounds and 97 defensive boards. She shoots 45.9 percent from the floor and 76.3 percent from the free throw line. Kawiecki has totaled 27 assists, 22 steals, and 14 blocks.
Sienna Wiebusch (Sr., Saint Peter) was also recognized by the league as she was named to the All-MIAC Sportsmanship Team. Jen Masello of Augsburg was named the Player of the Year, teammate Anja Smith was named Sixth Player of the Year, and Auggie coach Ted Riverso was named Coach of the Year.